Summit to nowhere
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s much-anticipated meeting in Alaska ended with smiles, handshakes, and talk of “progress,” but no deal to halt the war in Ukraine. After three hours of discussions, the two leaders offered friendly remarks and avoided hard questions, an unusual move for Trump, who rarely passes up an opportunity to spar with the press.
Both men hinted at areas of agreement, but neither laid out specifics. Putin flattered Trump, saying the war “would not have happened” if he had been president instead of Joe Biden. Trump called the meeting “extremely productive” but admitted, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” For Ukrainians still facing Russian missiles and tanks, such vague assurances are cold comfort.
This summit was heavy on optics: Trump escorted Putin into “The Beast,” a B-2 bomber roared overhead, and the two spoke beneath a banner that read “Pursuing Peace.” Yet peace remains distant. Russia has recently made battlefield gains even as Ukraine retook a few villages, leaving both sides dug in. President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine will not surrender territory seized by Moscow. Trump said he would consult Zelensky and NATO allies before taking further steps.
Since Trump’s takeover as the US president in January, he has pushed ahead in his determined bid to end the Ukraine war, more or less, on Vladimir Putin’s terms. The goal seems to be to wean Russia away from China. This raises serious questions about the existence of NATO and Europe’s place in the new American worldview. Trump‘s radical break from the traditional US engagement with the world has the potential to reshape the existing world order. But so far Trump’s hasn’t met with success in his quest.
The friendliness on display in Anchorage cannot obscure the reality on the ground. Alaska’s meeting showed that Trump and Putin can talk cordially. What the world needs now is for leaders to translate talk into action and bring this three year old war to an end.
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Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s much-anticipated meeting in Alaska ended with smiles, handshakes, and talk of “progress,” but no deal to halt the war in Ukraine. After three hours of discussions, the two leaders offered friendly remarks and avoided hard questions, an unusual move for Trump, who rarely passes up an opportunity to spar with the press.
Both men hinted at areas of agreement, but neither laid out specifics. Putin flattered Trump, saying the war “would not have happened” if he had been president instead of Joe Biden. Trump called the meeting “extremely productive” but admitted, “There’s no deal until there’s a deal.” For Ukrainians still facing Russian missiles and tanks, such vague assurances are cold comfort.
This summit was heavy on optics: Trump escorted Putin into “The Beast,” a B-2 bomber roared overhead, and the two spoke beneath a banner that read “Pursuing Peace.” Yet peace remains distant. Russia has recently made battlefield gains even as Ukraine retook a few villages, leaving both sides dug in. President Volodymyr Zelensky has made it clear that Ukraine will not surrender territory seized by Moscow. Trump said he would consult Zelensky and NATO allies before taking further steps.
Since Trump’s takeover as the US president in January, he has pushed ahead in his determined bid to end the Ukraine war, more or less, on Vladimir Putin’s terms. The goal seems to be to wean Russia away from China. This raises serious questions about the existence of NATO and Europe’s place in the new American worldview. Trump‘s radical break from the traditional US engagement with the world has the potential to reshape the existing world order. But so far Trump’s hasn’t met with success in his quest.
The friendliness on display in Anchorage cannot obscure the reality on the ground. Alaska’s meeting showed that Trump and Putin can talk cordially. What the world needs now is for leaders to translate talk into action and bring this three year old war to an end.
By: Maroof Ahmed
